Introduction to Pastry & Baking Intensive

Knowing how to use knives skillfully is the foundation of all cooking, and doesn't have to be scary or frustrating. Many home and even professional cooks don't always wield a knife correctly, however, which increases food preparation time and makes the process harder --- and less safe --- than it should be. Simply put, good knives are the foundation of a well-equipped kitchen. This class remedies all these basic issues: You will learn how to slice, dice, chop, and much more in the safest and most efficient manner. This class will even guide you through the practice of keeping your knives sharp and handling them correctly.

Braising - searing at a high temperature, then finishing in a liquid at a lower temperature to infuse flavor - can add umami and more to pretty much any meal! And the best part is, it creates tender, juicy dishes with a minimum of effort. We'll master this technique as we make a braised banquet of: Guinness-braised short ribs with creamy polenta; braised chicken thighs with mushrooms and balsamic vinegar and braised fennel.

This class is for the Italian food enthusiast! ICE Boot Camps give you the opportunity to learn how to cook and bake like the pros. This four-day Boot Camp focuses on the class cooking techniques and regional cuisines of Italy. On day one, we will tour Northwest Italy with a focus on fresh pastas. You will learn classic pasta dough techniques; how to extrude pasta and shape gnocchi and ravioli. On day two, we will cover the five courses of the Italian meal (antipasti, primi, secundo de pesce, secundo de carne, contorni) and explore the cuisine of Northeastern Italy. On day three, our main focus will be the the four pastas of Rome (carbonara, cacio e pepe, alla gricia and amatricana) while we also cover the regional cuisine of central Italy. On our final day, we will head to southern Italy and explore classic dishes like pesce all acqua pazza and fritti di melanzane as well as learn how to make fresh mozzarella.

ICE’s Fine Cooking series are the classes on which our recreational program’s reputation was built. This intensive course expands on our Fine Cooking 1 series and takes a deeper dive into essential culinary techniques. These full-participation classes teach fundamental skills, not recipes. This course covers everything from fileting a fish, to properly sautéing, to cover poaching techniques and fundamental sauce making. As you advance through the series, you’ll gradually come to understand each cooking concept. You’ll have a firm grasp of ingredients and equipment; you’ll know why things happen; you'll learn how to avoid and correct mistakes. Most importantly, you’ll gain the experience you need to cook with confidence and pleasure - without relying strictly on recipes. Each class culminates with a student-prepared meal. Prerequisite: Fine Cooking 1.